Haven't been able to find any good information about this both from searching on here and asking around at work. Has anyone here talked to someone who was enlisted SF and gone through the process of commissioning in the NG and going 18A? There seem to be varying opinions about how this would work and what portions of the SFQC would need to be re-attended.

If he wants to get commissioned, that is easy, but it can be a somewhat drawn-out process, all on the NG side. From the USAJFKSWC side, it's simple, standards are standards, and there is no difference between NG and AD.

First step, apply for commissioning with the NG. Once commissioned, spend the required time serving somewhere, until eligible to apply for 18A. Many prior enlisted SF guys want to hang out at the SF units once they are commissioned, waiting until they are eligible to apply for 18A. There are upsides and downsides to that, but mostly downsides.

__________________
Life’s barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.

Thanks for the responses. Everything you have said is pretty much the general consensus. The whole process seems pretty unpredictable.

The most unpredictable part is getting commissioned in the NG. Not all states do that the same way. Your best COA, IMO, is to identify where you want to live, state-wise. Then start researching how that state and the states within commuting distance conduct their commissioning process. Pick the easiest state to get commissioned in that is within commuting distance of where you want to live. You can always do an interstate transfer later.

We have a battalion CSM from 19th Group on here...he might be able to push you to a good POC in certain states, as 19th is spread across several states on both coasts and in between. I'll ping him to check this thread.

__________________
Life’s barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.

Bushman,
I'm the guy that Gavin is talking about, but he's spot on with his advice.

My former 18E/F just went to OCS in CA and got commissioned as a MI officer. The OCS process I think took two years since he went the traditional route vs the AD route. I offered him a job as a MI Officer in my SF BN but factor in the expenses as a commuter, it was just too much for him.

So going SF vs serving in SF has both pros/cons based upon what's best for you and your family.

Bushman,
I'm the guy that Gavin is talking about, but he's spot on with his advice.

My former 18E/F just went to OCS in CA and got commissioned as a MI officer. The OCS process I think took two years since he went the traditional route vs the AD route. I offered him a job as a MI Officer in my SF BN but factor in the expenses as a commuter, it was just too much for him.

So going SF vs serving in SF has both pros/cons based upon what's best for you and your family.

Tell him congrats. I thought he was done with the NG.

__________________Come on boys, you got to do it right, pray to the moon in the middle of the night

Way out of my lane, hopefully not too much of a derail: The ANG used to have their own OTS (called AMS), but it merged with AD OTS several years ago. As far I'm aware, the ANG has never had the option to run an OTS at the state level.

Just wondering if your state OCS program is like what ANG calls "secondary method" for aircrew schools - qual courses could be done at the home unit, but required a waiver from NGB and was only done if the individual could not attend the formal school due to lack of slots, or other extenuating circumstances. Similar?